Little painted fairies and pumpkins will be haunting Newport on Sunday, Oct. 21 for the 14th annual Harvest Festival, hosted by Stevens Cooperative School. At least 800 residents from Jersey City and neighboring towns will swing through for the fall family-oriented celebration.

The event – which will take place in the community area outside of Newport Skates – will feature face painting, spin art, pumpkin painting, two inflatable bounce houses, tie dying, a cake walk, live music, and lots of games.

Several families said they use the festival as a nice alternative to Halloween for their youngest children.

_____________Several families said they use the festival as a nice alternative to Halloween for their youngest children.____________

“I let my older son go to school and get a costume for Halloween, and they get a little candy there. But I don’t really want my two-year old getting too many sweets yet,” said Newport resident Indira Sen. “We go to the [harvest festival] most years. It’s nice to see all the neighbors out.”

Another Newport mom, Susheela Shankar, said, “I wouldn’t mind the trick or treating, but it’s just too much candy. I prefer this. The [harvest festival] is nicer because they have other things to keep the children occupied so they aren’t thinking about just eating candy.”

Both mothers said their kids are especially fond of the face painting.

The festival, which kicks off at 11 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m., is free and open to the public.